Tor

Tor is an encrypted anonymising network that makes it harder to intercept internet communications, or see where communications are coming from or going to.

In order to use the WikiLeaks public submission system as detailed above you can download the Tor Browser Bundle, which is a Firefox-like browser available for Windows, Mac OS X and GNU/Linux and pre-configured to connect using the anonymising system Tor.

Tails

If you are at high risk and you have the capacity to do so, you can also access the submission system through a secure operating system called Tails. Tails is an operating system launched from a USB stick or a DVD that aim to leaves no traces when the computer is shut down after use and automatically routes your internet traffic through Tor. Tails will require you to have either a USB stick or a DVD at least 4GB big and a laptop or desktop computer.

Tips

Our submission system works hard to preserve your anonymity, but we recommend you also take some of your own precautions. Please review these basic guidelines.

1. Contact us if you have specific problems

If you have a very large submission, or a submission with a complex format, or are a high-risk source, please contact us. In our experience it is always possible to find a custom solution for even the most seemingly difficult situations.

2. What computer to use

If the computer you are uploading from could subsequently be audited in an investigation, consider using a computer that is not easily tied to you. Technical users can also use Tails to help ensure you do not leave any records of your submission on the computer.

3. Do not talk about your submission to others

If you have any issues talk to WikiLeaks. We are the global experts in source protection – it is a complex field. Even those who mean well often do not have the experience or expertise to advise properly. This includes other media organisations.

After

1. Do not talk about your submission to others

If you have any issues talk to WikiLeaks. We are the global experts in source protection – it is a complex field. Even those who mean well often do not have the experience or expertise to advise properly. This includes other media organisations.

2. Act normal

If you are a high-risk source, avoid saying anything or doing anything after submitting which might promote suspicion. In particular, you should try to stick to your normal routine and behaviour.

3. Remove traces of your submission

If you are a high-risk source and the computer you prepared your submission on, or uploaded it from, could subsequently be audited in an investigation, we recommend that you format and dispose of the computer hard drive and any other storage media you used.

In particular, hard drives retain data after formatting which may be visible to a digital forensics team and flash media (USB sticks, memory cards and SSD drives) retain data even after a secure erasure. If you used flash media to store sensitive data, it is important to destroy the media.

If you do this and are a high-risk source you should make sure there are no traces of the clean-up, since such traces themselves may draw suspicion.

4. If you face legal action

If a legal action is brought against you as a result of your submission, there are organisations that may help you. The Courage Foundation is an international organisation dedicated to the protection of journalistic sources. You can find more details at https://www.couragefound.org.

Submit documents to WikiLeaks

WikiLeaks publishes documents of political or historical importance that are censored or otherwise suppressed. We specialise in strategic global publishing and large archives.

The following is the address of our secure site where you can anonymously upload your documents to WikiLeaks editors. You can only access this submissions system through Tor. (See our Tor tab for more information.) We also advise you to read our tips for sources before submitting.

wlupld3ptjvsgwqw.onion

Copy this address into your Tor browser. Advanced users, if they wish, can also add a further layer of encryption to their submission using our public PGP key.

If you cannot use Tor, or your submission is very large, or you have specific requirements, WikiLeaks provides several alternative methods. Contact us to discuss how to proceed.

US Army Escalation of Force Handbook, CALL publication 07-21, July 2007, 96 pages.

Predeployment training to support escalation of force (EOF) planning must be rigorous, realistic, and innovative. Results of well-thought-out EOF-integrated training will help prepare small units for the complex challenges they will face in counterinsurgency operations. Detailed and innovative planning, battle staff oversight, and strong troop-leading procedures (TLP) can extend EOF reaction time, allowing Soldiers to mitigate potentially volatile engagements. During intelligence preparation of the battlefield, both lethal and nonlethal means of force must be incorporated into mission planning, and follow-on effects must be weighed and adjusted during execution.

The handbook contains numerous examples and a long comparison of UK (gradual) vs. US (rapid) escalation of force Rules of Engagement (ROE):

The UK ROE and graduated response (EOF) drills were developed and refined based on 30 years of experience in Northern Ireland and adapted based on the threat and particular theater of operation. ROE and EOF are trained as one entity and are not treated separately. All classroom instruction is administered by experienced cadre and reinforced through demonstrations and simulations. The ROE/graduated response (EOF) measures applied by the UK armed services are similar to that of U.S. forces and other coalition partners serving in OIF and OEF. In order to win the earts and minds and positively impact information operations and public affairs campaigns, it is vitally important to apply the level of force commensurate with the level of threat. The British historical perspective from the Northern Ireland insurgency and the Balkans, as well as their reflections on recent experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, offer relevant points for U.S. forces to consider when integrating and applying ROE/EOF procedures in the continuing effort to protect Soldiers while limiting collateral damage to civilians on the battlefield. (page 86, starts page 83).

This product is designed for official use and cannot be released to the public without the expressed written consent of CALL. This product has been furnished with the expressed understanding that it will be used for official defense-related purposes only and that it will be afforded the same degree of protection that the U.S. affords information marked UNCLASSIFIED FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY [FOUO] in accordance with U.S. Army Regulation 380-5, section 5-2. Official military and civil service/government personnel may paraphrase; quote; or use sentences, phrases, and paragraphs for integration into official products or research. However, integration of CALL UNCLASSIFIED FOUO information into official products or research renders them FOUO, and they must be maintained and controlled within official channels and cannot be released to the public without the expressed written consent of CALL. CALL UNCLASSIFIED FOUO information may be placed on protected UNCLASSIFIED intranets within military organizations or units provided that access is restricted through user ID and password or other authentication means to ensure that only properly accredited military and government officials have access to CALL UNCLASSIFIED FOUO materials. When no longer needed, all CALL UNCLASSIFIED FOUO paper products and compact discs (CDs) will be shredded or destroyed using approved paper shredderor CDROM destroyers.